Alexandria Cardenas, co-owner of Malama Design & Build, recalls a childhood steeped in construction experiences on her father's job sites in Lahaina, Maui. This early exposure fueled her passion, leading her to work in cabinetry and architectural drafting before co-founding her business with Michael Radutskiy in 2020. Located in Downtown Bellevue, Malama Design & Build is recognized as a “one-stop shop” for kitchen and bathroom renovations, offering services such as tile installation and custom cabinetry. Cardenas highlights the significance of building strong client relationships, which is paramount to their business success, especially as they rely on word-of-mouth referrals rather than traditional marketing. The choice of Bellevue as their home base stems from its rich entrepreneurial history, resonating with their own ambitions.

Cardenas believes their authentic approach sets them apart, as they prioritize expert advice over sales tactics. Their vision for the future includes expanding their services while maintaining the personal touch that has garnered them a loyal client base. As they look ahead, Cardenas and Radutskiy aim to enhance their community impact and support local renovations.